Christmas
December 29, 2016

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 2:10-18

It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, ‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,    in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’ And again, ‘I will put my trust in him.’ And again, ‘Here am I and the children whom God has given me.’ –Hebrews 2:10-13

Brothers and sisters are most likely our first best friends, our first reviles for attention, our first confidants, the first to tattle-tell on us, our first foe in a fight, the first to rescue us from a bad situation, and whether we like it or not remain our brothers and sisters forever. For those who had no brothers or sisters, cousins may have filled the bill to some degree. My sister taught me to read before I started to school. Most days when she arrived home from school, we played school. She was the teacher; I was the student. Once my brother carried me from the school bus over a very muddy driveway to the house to save my precious new shoes from getting soiled. Siblings, cousins, our brothers and sisters in Christ help us each develop wholeness in dealing with life situations as we grow and mature. They mold our identity in oneness as we face the world together and introduce us to the determination of justice whether it involves who gets the last cookie or how we otherwise problem solve.

The crux of the Christian faith is God’s relationship to Christ and through him the enfolding and emboldening of all people as children of God. The Body of Christ includes all who accept and recognize the relationship. In so doing we answer a call to spread the Good News of God’s love throughout the universe. While our task seems impossible, it is made possible through the power and love of God through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, each of your children, have a role to play in creating your world ruled by love. Write our part on our hearts and equip us to strive with our whole being to fulfill it. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.